Three Rivers Stadium

Featured here is a detailed pen & ink illustration I created of Three Rivers Stadium which was a multi-purpose stadium located on the north shore of the Allegheny River in the city of Pittsburgh. It was home to the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates and NFL Pittsburgh Steelers respectively between 1970-2000. The stadium was given its name due to its location at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers which come to form the Ohio River at Point State Park. The stadium opened on July 16, 1970, marking the teams move from legendary Forbes Field located near the University of Pittsburgh in the neighborhood of Oakland. Three Rivers Stadium was a beloved architectural landmark to generations of Pittsburghers.

Three Rivers Stadium produced many memories but two particularly stand out in the hearts of Pittsburghers. The first occurred on September 30, 1972 when Pirates right-fielder, Roberto Clemente on his last at bat had his 3,000th hit. Unfortunately, Roberto Clemente tragically lost his life a few months later while delivering medicine and supplies to earthquake ravaged Nicarauga. He is often regarded as the greatest right-fielder in baseball history and he will be forever remembered for his athleticism on the field and his humanitarian contributions and goodwill.

Franco Harris earned immortal fame with his “Immaculate Reception” in the closing seconds of the AFC divisional playoff game. The game occurred on December 23, 1972 against the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium and set the stage for the Steelers dynastic reign as Superbowl champions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates hosted the Baltimore Orioles in the very first game in a World Series to be played at night in 1971. The third MLB All-Star game presented by the Pirates occurred in 1974 and again in 1994, which featured the largest crowd for a baseball game at the stadium. The Pittsburgh Steelers played in seven AFC Championship games at the stadium between 1972-98 with the Steelers winning five of those matches. The Steelers sold out every home game from 1972 which continues to this day. Pittsburgh Steelers broadcaster, Myron Cope debuted the Terrible Towel at the stadium on December 27, 1975.

Three Rivers Stadium was imploded on February 11, 2001. Thousands of Pittsburghers braved a very cold morning to witness this tearful and emotional event from locations throughout the city. The Pirates moved nearby to PNC Park while the Steelers did the same at Heinz Field. But Three Rivers Stadium lives on in the memories of many.